Thanks for the ideas. I'll try the scrubbing with salt and lemon, and
then oil the cutting block. Hopefully it will save it.

And in the meantime I'll probably get some cutting matts.

Thanks!



On Dec 6, 6:19 am, "Bob (this one)" > wrote:
> Hilbert wrote:
> > Hello,
>
> > We just moved into a new house, and the built in wooden cutting board,
> > although new, makes everything that touches it taste like
> > onion/garlic/...
>
> > Is there any way to take this bad taste out of the wooden block? I'm
> > pretty sure there's a trick for it.No tricks, just techniques. You want to clean the board and
> then oil it. A good dish detergent, a scrub brush and about
> 5 minutes of elbow grease to start. Wipe/rinse with clear
> water several times. Then do it a couple more times. Let it
> air-dry for a few hours and don't put anything on the
> counter during that time. Then oil it. This is a subject of
> heated discussion between the mineral oil set and the ones
> who say any oil except the strongly flavored ones. Take your
> choice. Wipe it all over the wooden surface. Come back an
> hour later and do it again. And, if you have OCD, come back
> an hour later and do it again.
>
> You now have a basic finish on the counter. Wash gently
> after each use, and oil every few weeks. It'll last forever.
> After a while, it may show scratches or mars. A bit of
> sandpaper will take care of that quickly. Then wipe and oil
> again. It will actually be a lot less maintenance than it
> sounds like here.
>
> Pastorio